Report of a person in the water launches Bridlington RNLI

The volunteer crew of the Bridlington RNLI received a tasking request from the HM Coastguard at 3.54pm on Saturday (24 January), after a report was received of a possible kite surfer in trouble in the water south of Bridlington, off Wilsthorpe.

The volunteer RNLI crew of five were requested to launch the all-weather lifeboat Antony Patrick Jones into some challenging conditions, with a force 5 easterly wind and rough seas, with moderate visibility as night started to fall. The volunteer crew of the Bridlington RNLI launched at 4.20pm and were on scene within five minutes, and commenced an immediate search of the area of the last report sighting.

Shortly into the search it was reported that the sighting was one of kite surfers on the beach and that no persons were in the water. The volunteer crew were then stood down by the HM Coastguard at 4.39pm and returned to the beach in Bridlington, where the boat was recovered by the volunteer shore crew of the Bridlington RNLI, washed down, refuelled the lifeboat which was back on service by 4.59pm.

Speaking after the tasking, Bridlington RNLI volunteer’s Launch Authority, Andrew Budd said ‘Thankfully this was a good ending to a tasking in very challenging conditions. A member of the public did the correct thing by contacting the HM Coastguard after they thought they saw someone in trouble in the water. Clearly this was a call with good intent, and the RNLI encourage people to let the Coastguard know if they think they see anyone in trouble in the water. If you think you see someone in difficulty at sea or on the coast, you should always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

RNLI Media contacts

For more information, please contact Mike Milner, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected] or call:07751-054052.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.